Advertisement distribution system in coin laundry store

Abstract

To provide an advertisement distribution system in a coin laundry store capable of not only efficiently operating and managing advertisement information but also greatly contributing to customer analysis and customer retention.SOLUTION: The display 12 is disposed in the vicinity of the laundry apparatus 11 in the real store 10, the customer terminal 3 reads the identification code displayed on the display 12, the first server 6 to which the real store ID and the settlement availability information of the use of the laundry apparatus 11 are transmitted through the network is provided, the first server 6 lists, registers, and stores the customer information and the advertisement information, and the second server 7 that transmits the operation permission signal through the network to set the laundry apparatus 11 to the operation state when the first server 6 determines that the settlement is permitted is provided. The operation permission signal transmitted from the second server 7 is received, and the first server 6 selects and outputs the advertisement information corresponding to the attribute information of the customer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an advertising distribution system for coin laundry stores that are operated as a chain of multiple stores over a wide area, and in particular to an advertising distribution system for network-type coin laundry stores in which advertising information is distributed via communication lines between advertising displays installed in physical stores, information terminals (DTU: Data Transfer Unit) managed by each store via a support server (SIS: Support Integrator Server), and a host server that remotely manages the system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, personal and portable terminal devices such as personal computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs) and smartphones have become increasingly popular, and as the use of the Internet has expanded, the digital networking of advertising distribution of a wide variety of product information and merchandise information has expanded rapidly.

[0003] Conventionally, a method has been proposed for customers to obtain product advertising information by reading an IC card placed on the back of an advertising display into a mobile terminal device using a reader / writer connected to the mobile terminal device, and then obtaining the advertising information using the server address recorded on the IC card (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] In addition, a system has been proposed in which a mobile terminal device reads a QR code (registered trademark) related to the advertising content of a hanging advertisement inside a train, and acquires advertising information from the QR code (registered trademark) (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

[0005] Also, a system has been proposed in which a two-dimensional barcode displayed on an outdoor signboard is read by a mobile terminal and advertising information is acquired from the two-dimensional barcode (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

[0006] Meanwhile, due to the significant impact of the cashless movement, purchasing goods and making monetary payments over the Internet have already become commonplace, and even in coin laundry stores, a payment support system has been proposed in which, when a customer terminal reads a two-dimensional barcode displayed on a laundry machine, the store ID and the laundry machine in question are sent from the customer terminal device to a support server, and if the machine usage fee is less than the balance in the balance information file, a usage permission signal is sent and the laundry machine begins operating (see, for example, Patent Document 4). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-30134 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5266550 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-040243 [Patent Document 4] Patent No. 7357376 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, conventional advertising distribution systems and cashless payment support systems are limited to providing services by customers accessing a single support server that provides or manages those services, in other words, a single company's advertising database. In view of the problems with the above-mentioned conventional technology, the present invention provides an advertising distribution system for coin laundry stores that not only enables efficient operation and management of advertising information, but also enables the introduction of a safe and reliable cashless system, greatly contributing to customer analysis and customer retention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The advertising distribution system for coin laundry stores of the present invention is characterized in that a display that displays an identification code corresponding to a network address for accessing advertising information is placed near the laundry equipment in the actual store; The first server has a function to transmit the physical store ID and the payment availability information for the laundry machine via a network when the customer terminal reads the identification code displayed on the display. The first server stores customer information as a registered member in advance, and also stores advertising information in a list. and a second server that, when the first server determines that payment is permitted, transmits a signal permitting operation of the laundry machine over a network to activate the laundry machine. The first feature is that the first server receives a laundry machine operation permission signal sent from the second server, selects advertising information corresponding to the registered customer's attribute information, and outputs it to the display or the customer terminal. The second feature is that a third server storing a wide variety of advertising information (videos, still images, etc.) managed by advertising creators is connected by wired connection via a dedicated public line. The third feature is that the lighting pattern of the LEDs installed on the laundry machine changes in response to or in synchronization with the advertising videos and images displayed on the display. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, the following excellent effects can be obtained. (1) The operating status of laundry equipment can be continuously notified and displayed on in-store displays and customer devices, helping customers make effective use of their waiting time. (2) While the laundry equipment is operating, the system polls the equipment and customer devices, enabling stable operation and monitoring and control of operating status without placing excessive load on network equipment. (3) By changing the LED lighting pattern when the laundry equipment's operating status (washing process) changes, customers can be intuitively notified of the progress of the washing process. (4) The LED lighting pattern can be changed according to the specified time, making it possible to use it as a street timer. (5) For example, by synchronizing or varying the LED lighting patterns for all stores or all devices, or for specific stores or specific devices, or by dividing the area into sections, a highly eye-catching effect can be achieved, which will help to retain customers in a chain operation. (6) The synergistic visual stimulation of the LED lighting and the advertising videos and images displayed on the in-store displays has the effect of stopping customers in their tracks, increasing the amount of time and frequency with which they view the advertisements, and ultimately significantly increasing their motivation to purchase the advertised products. (7) Not only can advertising information be efficiently managed, but it can also introduce a safe and reliable cashless system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] An explanatory diagram showing a schematic diagram of the network configuration of a physical store and each system server in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart showing a workflow for distributing and displaying advertising information on a display installed in a coin laundry. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the mobile device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The following describes the advertisement distribution system for a coin laundry store according to the present invention with reference to the drawings. [Example]

[0013] First, Fig. 1 shows an overview of the network configuration of an advertisement distribution system in a coin laundry store 10 according to this embodiment. In the advertisement distribution system 1, a system administrator PC 4 of a company (hereinafter referred to as the advertisement provider) that manages identification codes of advertisement information and provides them to customers is connected to a network 2 (including the Internet, public lines, or dedicated individual lines).

[0014] Connected to the network 2 are a first server (host server: advertising information distribution system means: (hereinafter referred to as WHA server: WASH House (registered trademark) Host Server)) 6 that stores identification codes managed by a system administrator's PC 4 that manages and provides identification codes for advertising information to customers, and a second server (laundry equipment operation system means: (hereinafter referred to as SIS server: Support Integrator Server)) 7 that controls the operating status of laundry equipment 11 in response to command signals from the administrator's PC 4. Also connected to the network 2 is a third server (display operation means: (hereinafter referred to as DSP (Demand Side Platform) server) 8 that stores a wide variety of advertising information (videos, still images, etc.) managed by advertising creators.

[0015] This DSP server 8 also functions as a system server for transmitting advertising information including an identification code managed by the system administrator PC 4 and provided by the WHA server 6 to the customer device (i.e., the DSP terminal) 3.

[0016] The advertising information providing system 1 of this embodiment can be accessed from a mobile device 3, such as a smartphone or tablet, owned by a customer. The advertising display 12 is installed in a physical coin laundry store 10, and in this embodiment is placed on top of laundry equipment 11, such as a washer / dryer or dryer, via an information remote display unit (DTU) 13. This information remote display unit (DTU: Data Transfer Unit) 13 is connected to a DSP server 8 via an SIS server 7. The information display 12 may also display an identification code, such as a QR code (registered trademark), that can be read by the customer device 3 to access various applications.

[0017] Here, network 1 is composed of multiple networks, such as the existing Internet, LAN, ATM lines, dedicated lines, wireless networks, or public line networks. The aforementioned PC 4, WHA server 6, SIS server 7, DSP server 8, multiple information displays 12, and portable devices 3 are connected to network 1 by wire or wirelessly. It is preferable that advertising displays 12 be connected to DSP server 8 by wire via dedicated public line 9 to prevent unauthorized access due to network vulnerabilities during advertising playback, such as harmful access to advertising data, information acquisition, playback interference, and alteration, and to ensure clear, safe, and accurate advertising image quality and audio playback. This is because a stable network connection can be ensured without being affected by obstacles such as buildings or electromagnetic waves emitted by other electrical appliances.

[0018] FIG. 2 shows a workflow for distributing and displaying advertising information in this embodiment. The customer displays the QR code (registered trademark) of the system app on their mobile device 3 (hereinafter, a smartphone will be used as an example) (Step S1), and QR code reading begins (Step S2). The SIS server 7 acquires member information (Step S3), creates an advertisement list appropriate for the member (Step S4), and stores the advertisement list on the mobile device 3 and prepares it for playback (Step S5). Next, the fee is paid cashlessly via the application (Step S6). The WHA server 6 transmits a remote operation instruction signal (Step S7), and the laundry appliance 11 begins operating (Step S8). At the same time, sales information, including customer information, is notified to the WHA server 6 (Step S9). The WHA server 6 then receives the sales information (Step S10) and transmits it to the SIS server 7. Then, the SIS server 7 and DSP server 8 (step S11), which have received the sales information, sequentially play the advertisement list stored corresponding to the customer information on the portable device 3 and the advertising display 12 (step S12), and display the operation process screen of the laundry machine 11 (step S13). When the advertisement is played on the portable device 3 (step S14), the SIS server 7 counts the number of page views (pages) (step S14a). When the customer taps on the advertisement played in step S14 (step S15), the SIS server 7 counts the number of clicks (step S15a). The advertisement played in step S14 is also displayed on the advertising display 12 installed in the store 10, and may display the same advertisement as on the portable device 3 or different advertisements.

[0019] Meanwhile, when the WHS server 6 receives the sales notification in step S11, a message for turning on the LED is sent to the LED lighting app (step S16), and the operation process progresses (step S18) while changing the lighting pattern of the LEDs 5 arbitrarily arranged on the laundry appliance 11 (step S17), and the operation status is sent to the WHA server 6 (step S20). The WHA server 6 receives and acquires the operation status and sends the acquired information to the DSP server 8 (step S21), and changes and displays the operation status on the customer's mobile device 3 (step S22). In this way, by changing the lighting pattern of the LEDs 5 when the operation status (washing process) of the laundry appliance 11 changes, the customer can be intuitively notified of the progress of the washing process.

[0020] After acquiring the operation status in step S21, the SIS server 7 sends a message indicating the change in the LED illumination pattern corresponding to the operation process to the LED illumination app (step S23), and then sends the LED illumination change pattern to the laundry appliance 11 (step S24). While the laundry appliance 11 is operating, the system polls the appliance 11 and the customer device 3, enabling stable operation and monitoring and control of the operation status without placing an excessive load on the network devices. When the laundry appliance 11 finishes operation (step S25), a completion notification is sent to the WHA server 6 (step S26), and when the completion notification is received (step S27), the completion notification is sent to the SIS server 7 and received by the SIS server 7 (step S28). The completion notification is then sent to the portable device 3, which displays an operation completion screen (step S29), and the administrator PC 4 receives the completion notification (step S30).

[0021] Meanwhile, the WHS server 6 that received the operation end notification in step S28 sends a message to turn on the LED to the LED lighting app, causing the laundry machine 11 to change the LED to an operation end pattern (step S18). Also, for example, by changing the lighting pattern of the LED 5 according to a specified time, it can be used as a street timer, and by synchronizing or varying the lighting pattern of the LED 5 for all stores or all machines, or for specific stores or specific machines, or by dividing the location area, a highly eye-catching effect can be achieved, contributing to customer retention in chain operations.

[0022] The flowchart shown in FIG. 3 shows an example of the operation of a portable device owned by a customer. When a customer touches an identification code displayed on a portable device 3 to launch an application (step P1), a request for access (acquisition) of advertising information corresponding to the identification code is sent to the SIS server 7 based on the device number of the portable device 3 included in the identification code (step P2). If the SIS server 7 determines that the access is legitimate through a predetermined authentication procedure, it sends an access request including the device number and identification code of the received portable device 3 to the WHA server 6 (step P3). Based on a built-in correspondence table of identification codes and URL addresses, the WHA server 6 sends video or still images of advertising information corresponding to the identification code in the access request to the portable device 3 with the device number that received the access request (step P4). The portable device 3 performs optimal attribute analysis of the received advertising information (steps P5 and P6). The customer views the extracted and played advertisement (steps P7 and P8). After viewing the advertisement, if the customer intends to purchase the advertised product, the customer launches a purchasing application (e.g., by displaying a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) in the final image) (step P10). If the customer does not wish to purchase, the customer ends viewing (step P9).

[0023] The advertisements displayed on the displays 12 of the stores 10 can be changed from the system (for all stores, by store, or by device). It is also possible to set the order in which advertisements are played, by store or area, and to play advertisements that match the customer's attribute information. It is also possible to link with an existing portal site account to play advertisements that are optimal for the customer, to simultaneously reload and play any advertisement at a date and time set in the system on the administrator's PC 4, and to display different advertisements on the displays 12 and the customer's terminal device 3. As all of these systems are centrally managed by the WHA server 6, version upgrades can also be performed all at once. It is also possible to change the lighting pattern of the LEDs 5 installed on the laundry equipment 11 in response to or in synchronization with the advertising videos and images displayed on the display 12. This has the effect of attracting customers who are exposed to the synergistic visual stimulation of the lighting of the LEDs 5 and the advertising videos and images displayed on the in-store display 12, and increasing the amount of time and number of times they view the advertisement, which in turn significantly increases the customer's motivation to purchase the advertised product.

[0024] It should be noted that the above example is presented as one embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the scope of the invention described in the claims. It goes without saying that various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0025] 1. Advertising distribution system 2 Network (Internet line) 3. Customer terminal devices 4 System administrator PC 5 LED 6 First server (advertising information distributor: WHA server) 7 Second Server (Laundry Machine Operator: SIS Server) 8 Third Server (Display Operator: DSP Server) 9 Dedicated public lines 10. Physical coin laundry stores 11 Laundry equipment 12 Advertising display 13 Remote Data Collection Unit (DTU)

Claims

1. A display that displays an identification code corresponding to a network address for accessing advertising information is placed near the laundry equipment in the physical store; The first server includes a customer terminal that reads the identification code displayed on the display and transmits the physical store ID and payment availability information for the laundry machine via a network. The first server stores customer information registered as a member in advance and also stores advertising information in a list; and a second server that, when the first server determines that payment is permitted, transmits a signal permitting operation of the laundry machine over a network to activate the laundry machine. An advertising distribution system for a coin laundry store, characterized in that the first server receives a laundry equipment operation permission signal sent from the second server, selects advertising information corresponding to the attribute information of the registered customer, and outputs it to the display or the customer terminal.

2. An advertising distribution system for a coin laundry store as described in claim 1, characterized in that a third server storing a wide variety of advertising information (videos, still images, etc.) managed by advertising creators is connected by wired connection via a dedicated public line.

3. An advertising distribution system for a coin laundry store as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the lighting pattern of the LEDs installed on the laundry equipment is changed in response to or synchronized with the advertising videos and images displayed on the display.

Images